For organic seeded multigrain bread, look for an organic certification mark on the specific loaf. If you’re mainly looking for a wholemeal base, check the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal; check the current allergen information too, especially if the bread may contain sesame or gluten-containing cereals.
You want to be able to tell from the specific loaf that it’s organic, rather than relying on words such as ‘rustic’ or ‘artisan’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the production standards that apply to organic food; the certification mark and product information on the bread itself can help you identify it.
You eat bread regularly and want to look beyond the name ‘multigrain’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread has the highest levels of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals of the different types of bread. So check which flour has been used and compare the fibre content per 100 g.
You’re looking for the texture of seeds, but need to know whether a loaf contains sesame or gluten-containing cereals, for example. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the current product; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information on pre-packed food labels.
If organic is a must for you, start by checking the organic label. Then assess the wholemeal base, allergens and the quantity you’re likely to use separately.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic label | Look for the EU organic logo and the control body’s details on the packaging. A product name or rustic appearance isn’t enough. | If organic is a must for me, I want to be able to identify it on the bread itself. Verifiable organic origin is the most important factor for around 34% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check whether wholemeal flour is listed in the ingredients and compare the fibre content per 100 g, rather than per serving when serving sizes differ. | When buying bread for regular meals, I want to know which flour has been used, not just how many types of grain are listed on the packaging. Around 33% of consumers prioritise wholemeal and fibre. |
| Seeds and allergens | Check the current ingredients, allergen information and any warning about the possible presence of allergens. | I want seeds in my bread, but need to be able to assess whether ingredients such as sesame are suitable for me. Allergen checks are the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Choose a whole loaf, half loaf or part-baked rolls to suit how much you eat; check the storage instructions and freeze the bread in portions if needed. | If I don’t eat bread often, I want to choose an amount I can use before it dries out or goes off. For around 13% of consumers, portion size and storage are the main considerations. |
The fact that a bread contains several types of grain doesn’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this distinction matters if you’re keeping an eye on fibre.
Check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients and compare the fibre content per 100 g. Don’t judge by the colour or the seeds on top.
An organic label relates to how a product is made. An organic multigrain roll could be white bread and contain ingredients such as wheat and sesame, as shown in the product information for a SlooOW roll from Jumbo.
Check the organic label, types of flour used and allergens as three separate things.
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages for the organic breads described here state that these products have been discontinued. A page like this doesn’t confirm what you can currently buy in store.
Check the current product before buying and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging again.
If you only eat bread occasionally, a whole loaf could dry out before you finish it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against storing bread in the fridge, as it dries out more quickly there.
Choose an amount that suits how much you eat, or freeze sliced bread in portions.
A brand name doesn’t tell you whether a specific loaf is organic, wholemeal or suitable for your allergen needs. Use the product information as a starting point and check the packaging on the bread you buy.
Albert Heijn described an organic seeded artisan loaf containing, among other things, linseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame.
Jumbo has product information for an organic wholemeal multigrain half loaf and also stocks a range of other breads.
Jumbo describes part-baked organic SlooOW multigrain rolls to finish baking at home, containing, among other things, linseed, sesame, poppy seeds and sunflower seeds.
Lidl lists an organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf in its Dutch product range.
ALDI describes a farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf with grains and seeds.
No. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g.
Check whether the specific loaf carries an organic label, such as the EU organic logo, and look at the relevant product information. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, organic production in the Netherlands is governed by EU rules; words such as ‘rustic’ or ‘sourdough’ aren’t a substitute for an organic certification mark.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the bread you’re actually buying. For example, according to Jumbo, an organic SlooOW multigrain roll lists sesame and wheat gluten; don’t assume the same applies to a different bread or a recipe that has changed.
No, you can’t tell from the organic label alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre links the iodine in bread to the use of iodised baker’s salt. If you want to know which salt is used in a specific loaf, check the current ingredients list; the AH Biologisch bread described here listed iodised salt.
It’s best not to store bread in the fridge, as it dries out there, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you won’t finish a whole loaf quickly, you can freeze sliced portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months; follow the instructions on your bread’s packaging too.
